The Walking Dead 2014: 10 Things Fans Can Look Forward to Before Season 5

Three months! That’s all we have left to wait before The Walking Dead Season 5 premieres in mid-October. By the time you read this, it may even be less than two months. There's plenty of stuff and thangs to keep TWD fans busy as we suffer through the dry spell. Here are 10 things to look forward to.

1. The Fourth of July Marathon

AMC has scheduled another great full series marathon, starting on Friday, July 4, 2014. That’s tomorrow at this point, and the marathon starts at 9 p.m. ET with Season 1, Episode 1, “Days Gone Bye.” The marathon continues into Season 2 that night and keeps going all weekend until Season 4 finishes on the evening of Sunday, July 6.

2. The Talking Dead Season 5 Preview Special

As much as we love watching and rewatching the first four seasons, we’re most curious about what’s to come. Cue The Talking Dad Season 5 Preview Special, scheduled to air on July 6 at 9 p.m. ET. Showrunner Scott Gimple and actress Aisha Tyler will be the special guests, and a “clue” to Team Prison’s Terminus fate has been promised. (You can also try to sleuth out some early S5 clues from the two on-set videos AMC shared earlier this week.)

3. Two TWD Documentaries

Love it! The first doc, called called Inside The Walking Dead, will air Tuesday, July 8 at 10 p.m. ET. According to AMC, “This one-hour documentary will showcase how this remarkable series is made. The executive producers will discuss the process of mapping out the show and viewers will hear from all of the key production departments - from production design and special effects to costumes and makeup - about their role in crafting the world of The Walking Dead.” The second documentary, called Inside The Walking Dead: Walker Universitywill air Tuesday, July 15 at 10 p.m. ET., following the journey from extra to walker. “Viewers will learn that there is much more to becoming part of the living dead than just make-up, and will get an inside perspective on the choreography, acting and motivation behind each zombie, including a look at what takes place at The Walking Dead's own Zombie School.”

4. Season 5 Premiere Title?

This time last year, we already knew the Episode 1 title. On July 1, 2013, TVLine revealed that Season 4, Episode 1 would be titled "30 Days Without an Accident.” They also shared cool Season 4 banner art, so we’re on standby for that kind of information about Season 5. At least give us a new poster! Please?

If we don’t know any episode titles before Comic-Con, hopefully that kind of intel will be shared in San Diego, along with a lot of other good stuff. This year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego is scheduled for July 24-27, 2014. At this past summer’s Comic-Con, the Season 4 premiere date was confirmed and we got that amazing 4 minute, 26 second trailer with so much intel on the first four episodes. Fingers crossed that we get a Season 5 promo that good.

6. Spin-off Details?

Don’t forget that a Walking Dead companion show/spin-off is meant to premiere in 2015. It would make sense if The Powers That Be used part of the Comic-Con panel to address the show and share actual intel instead of just repeating what it’s not going to be about.

7. Season 4 on DVD/Blu-ray

Every August the previous season arrives on disc, and this year Season 4 will debut on Tuesday, August 26. All sorts of cool stuff will be included in the discs, so pre-order your copy now.

8. Mid-Season Finale Details

Season 5 started filming on May 5 and should continue into November, matching last year’s 16-episode schedule. Last year, on August 14, 2013, Comicbook.com posted a story about Wizard World Comic Con, which was held the previous weekend in Chicago. Norman Reedus told the audience, “I will say that we just wrapped the mid-season finale last night of The Walking Dead, mind-blowing. Minds are going to blow up, it’s so crazy, it’s so good. We thought last season was real good. This season’s crazy good. It’s nuts, you’ll love it.” So the mid-season finale should be filmed in early August and hopefully we’ll get good details. Scott Gimple has said he sees each batch of eight episodes like their own mini seasons, so that will mark the end of Season 5 Part 1.

9. Catching Up on the Comic Books

While you have the time, why not go back to the source and start reading Robert Kirkman’s comic book series? Issue 129 is coming out on July 9, and there are plans to keep going for at least 300 issues, so it’s something that could keep you busy for a long time!

10. Catching Up on TWD Season 5 News, Spoilers, Speculation

Blatant self-promotion, but screw it! When you find yourself with free time, why not visit Wetpaint.com/walking-dead/season-5 — or Wetpaint.com/walking-dead/spoilers, if you’re a spoiler fan (there’s a lot of overlap) — and read up on TWD Season 5. We have official teases and videos from the cast and crew, plus speculation based on what happens in the comics, spoilers from fans on the Georgia set, and other random stuff.

Most of this is based off last year’s TWD production schedule and air dates, so check it again if you want an idea of what we might see after October and into 2015!